Kharel was appointed attorney general by President Bidya Devi Bhandari in February 2018 on the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

He served as the chief legal adviser to Oli and the government for over three years.

“We have heard about it. He is holding a press meet also,” a senior official at the Office of the Attorney General, told the Post.

Kharel, a long-time UML leader, was a politburo member.

An advocate, Kharel also served as law minister in October 2015 when Oli became prime minister for the first time after the promulgation of the constitution in September that year.

He was appointed to the Constituent Assembly under the proportional representation quota. He was a member of the second Constituent Assembly as well, which was elected in 2013.

Kharel submitted his resignation to Bhandari through the Office of the Prime Minister earlier on Friday.

“We have received his resignation. It's in the process of approval,” a senior official at the Office of the President told the Post.

Kharel had led a team of lawyers while defending Oli’s December 20 House dissolution move. According to sources, Oli was not happy with Kharel’s defence, as he failed to present strong legal grounds before the Constitutional Bench to justify House dissolution decision.

The Constitutional Bench on February 23 overturned the House dissolution decision.

Bhesh Raj Adhikarai, chief personal secretary to President Bhandari, said the Office of the President will soon issue a notice regarding Kharel’s resignation.